Bahrain to strip anti-regime protestors citizenship

Bahrain's king has issued new decrees, giving authorities more powers to strip citizenship and block suspected funding channels in attempts to quell escalating anti-government violence in the Persian Gulf nation.

The measures are part of wider planned crackdowns unveiled earlier this week.

Bahrainis are preparing to hold mass anti-regime demonstrations on August 14. The Manama regime has warned that anyone participating in protests would face the "force of the law".

The Bahraini uprising began in mid-February 2011, when the people, inspired by the popular revolutions that toppled the dictators of Tunisia and Egypt, started holding massive anti-government demonstrations.

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The measures seek to battle a nearly 30-month uprising by majority Shiites demanding a greater political voice in the strategic nation, which is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.

Social groups have denounced the steps, which also may include a ban on all protests in the capital, Manama.

The decrees by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa were reported Thursday by the official Bahrain News Agency.

They give authorities wider ability to revoke citizenship for "terror" acts and halt funding for groups suspected of backing attacks.

Bahrainis are preparing to hold mass anti-regime demonstrations on August 14. The Manama regime has warned that anyone participating in protests would face the "force of the law".

The Bahraini uprising began in mid-February 2011, when the people, inspired by the popular revolutions that toppled the dictators of Tunisia and Egypt, started holding massive anti-government demonstrations.